How to Best Clean Your Old Video Game Cartridges to Avoid Game Play Problems with 1Up Cards
82In this video we show you how to clean games from pickups, garage sales and eBay auctions using 1Up Cards, Cleaners and Brite Boy.
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Game pick-ups, eBay listings and finding hidden gems at garage sales are a great way to build up your retro game library. One problem is that all of these old cartridges were produced 20, 30, 35 years ago and not all have been stored and cared for properly. Some of these games have had years of neglect, stored in basements, attics or garages collecting dirt, dust and grime. All is not lost as there is a relatively easy way to restore your cartridges to their former glory. All you need is a few basic tools and supplies to get you up and running.
Anytime I get a new game I open up the case to check for damage to the board and anything that would impede the game from playing. This includes inspecting the pins on the board to ensure proper transfer of data. The best way to do this is by using a 3.8mm Security Bit, also called a Game Bit, to open the game cartridges up. Whether you have NES, SNES, N64, Genesis or Game Boy games the 3.8mm bit will unlock them all.
With the cartridge shells separated checking out the boards is easy. Dirt and corrosion can be seen more easily when the parts have been removed. From here I will use Brite Boy to clean up the pins. Generally speaking there will be a TON of crud that the Brite Boy removes. You don't need to use a lot, a light coating will generally do. Much like resurfacing a DVD or CD you will remove a slight amount of the pin when using it however you won't remove enough to cause damage.
Please note, there is a lot of Ammonia or an Ammonia-agent in Brite Boy. Do not inhale the fumes or use in a poorly-ventilated area. Doing so may cause neausia, headaches and the momentary ability to see WiFi (Click here for example: https://youtu.be/ZXuSDHVh0eQ?t=3m37s)
Once I have completed cleaning the cartridge connectors with Brite Boy I use the 1Up Cards and cleaning solution to finish things off. Apply a light coating of the cleaning solution to the Fluid side of the card and clean off any additional Brite Boy which may be left behind. Once complete you can use the dry side to finish things before re-assembling the cartridge. This has the additional benefit of removing any fuzz that may be left over from the cotton swabs you used to apply and remove the Brite Boy.
Now that everything is cleaned you can re-assemble the cartridges and test them out. From this point moving forward you should be able to clean your carts by simply using the 1Up Cards and solution. Don't forget about cleaning your system too, 1Up has cleaners for NES, SNES, Genesis and N64!
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